Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TABLET HOLDER AND TABLET STOWAGE SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to holders, protectors
and stowage
systems for tablets and like devices, and more particularly, to a tablet
holder having a retractable
mounting post for console mounting in a vehicle and systems for stowing
multiple tablets when
not in use.
2. Background of the Invention
[0002] Tablets and like Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) are becoming
more
commonplace due to the increased needs for portable computing, remote
communication and
access to media content. Tablets, such as the iPade offered for sale by Apple
, are preferred
over cell phones and personal digital assistants due to their large screen
size and high definition
resolution, and are preferred over conventional laptops due to their
compactness, lightweight and
lack of a keyboard and mouse.
[0003] Tablets, while designed to be easily held for touchscreen use,
lack mounting
structure or structure to mount thereto to hold the tablet in place for
prolonged use or for hands-
free viewing. This is particularly disadvantageous when using a tablet in a
vehicle such as an
airplane, train or car where the tablet may be used, in part, as a replacement
for a permanently-
mounted dedicated video monitor. With regard to tablet use in an airplane in
particular, where
passengers may have the option of using an airline-supplied tablet during a
flight, and wherein
simultaneous use of other accessories such as tray tables often occurs, such
use requires
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consideration of tablet protection, holding, mounting and stowage both during
use and between
flights.
[0004] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a tablet holder
that both protects
the tablet and allows it to be mounted to supporting structure for hands-free
use. It is further
desirable to provide a tablet stowage system for storing multiple tablets when
not in use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to one embodiment, a tablet holder is provided herein
including a
frame configured to cover the corners and a majority portion of the backside
of a tablet, a barrel
defined in the frame and opening through one side of the frame, a mounting
post pivotally and
retractably received within the barrel, and a locking mechanism for locking
the mounting post
against relative movement.
[0006] The barrel may be positioned rearward of the backside of the
tablet when
installed within the frame such that the frame has a width about equal to that
of the tablet. The
frame may further include one or more openings therethrough corresponding in
position with one
or more of control buttons and connectors of the tablet such that the tablet
controls can be
operated and connections can be made through the frame, such as a power
connection,
headphone connection, etc.
[0007] The locking mechanism may include one or more locking levers
mounted on
the backside of the frame for pivotal movement transverse to the mounting
post. The one or
more locking levers may include a cam on the lever engageable in a locking
position of the lever
for applying locking force to the mounting post to lock the mounting post
against the relative
movement. In the case of more that one locking lever for the same mounting
post, the locking
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levers may be spaced apart.
[0008] The mounting post may be configured to be received within an
opening within
a seat console such that the mounting post supports the tablet in a desirable
viewing position, and
allows the tablet to pivot with respect to the seat console along an axis
transverse to the
longitudinal axis of the mounting post, and along an axis coaxial with the
longitudinal axis of the
mounting post.
[0009] The frame may cover a majority portion of the periphery of the
tablet with the
exception of the screen so as to securely hold and protect the tablet without
obstructing the
viewing screen.
[0010] The frame may include a first barrel positioned adjacent the
left side of the
frame and a second barrel positioned adjacent the right side of the frame to
provide a universal
frame with left- and right-handed mounting. The first and second barrels may
be parallel to one
another and open through the same side of the frame.
[0011] According to another embodiment, a tablet stowage system is
provided herein
including a plurality of tablets each installed within a tablet holder, a
container for stowing a
plurality of tablet holders including their tablets, and a portable galley
cart for stowing the
container and facilitating delivery/collection of the tablets.
[0012] Each tablet holder may include a frame configured to cover the
corners and a
majority portion of the backside of the tablet, a barrel defined in the frame
and opening in the
direction of one side of the frame, a mounting post pivotally and retractably
received within the
barrel, and a locking mechanism for locking the mounting post against relative
movement.
[0013] The tablet stowage system may further include a plurality of
passenger seat
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consoles, with each of the plurality of seat consoles including an opening for
receiving the
mounting post of a tablet holder. The mounting post may be configured to pivot
with respect to
the seat console along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the
mounting post, and pivot
with respect to the seat console along an axis parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the mounting
post to adjust the viewing position of the tablet.
[0014] Additional features, aspects and advantages of the invention
will be set forth in
the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent
to those skilled in the art
from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described
herein. It is to be
understood that both the foregoing general description and the following
detailed description present
various embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview
or framework for
understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The
accompanying drawings
are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are
incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present
invention are
better understood when the following detailed description of the invention is
read with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a forward-facing view of an exemplary embodiment of a
tablet
holder shown supported by a seat console;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an aft-facing view of the tablet holder shown in FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an aft-facing view of the tablet holder and console
showing the axes
of rotation of the tablet holder with respect to the seat console;
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[0019] FIG. 4 is an isolated view of the tablet holder shown in FIG. 1
showing the
retractable mounting post;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the back of the tablet holder
showing alternative
retractable post mounting positions and locking mechanisms;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a tablet container for stowing a plurality of tablet
holders and tablets
when not in use; and
[0022] FIG. 7 is a galley cart for storing one or more tablet
containers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the
invention are
shown. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and
should not be
construed as limited to the representative embodiments set forth herein. The
exemplary
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and
complete, and will
fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one of ordinary skill in
the art to make, use
and practice the invention. Like reference numbers refer to like elements
throughout the various
drawings.
[0024] Described herein is an exemplary embodiment of a tablet holder
and tablet
holder stowage system for use on a vehicle, such as an aircraft. The tablet
holder described
herein advantageously protects the tablet against impact damage, and allows
that tablet to be
removably and adjustably mounted on a seat console or like supporting
structure, such as for
hands-free or prolonged use. In a specific embodiment, provided herein are
airline carrier
supplied tablets and tablet holders for use by passengers during a flight, and
tablet and tablet
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holder stowage systems for storing tablets when not in use.
[0025] The tablet holder provided herein, when mounted on the seat
console,
advantageously positions the tablet out of the way of the use of other seat
accessories, such as a
tray table. The tablets within their holders may be distributed after taxi and
take-off, and
collected prior to landing in order to be taxi, take-off and landing
compliant. In another
embodiment, the tablets securely mount to the seat console in taxi, take-off
and landing
compliant manner. When not in use, tablets within their holders may be stored
within containers,
and the containers may be stored within a conventional galley cart to
facilitate collection and
distribution.
[0026] Referring to the figures, one embodiment of a tablet holder is
shown generally
at reference numeral 10. Tablet holder 10 is sized to receive and securely
hold a tablet or like
device shown generally at reference numeral 12. The table holder includes a
frame 14 sized
slightly larger than the tablet 12. The frame 14 is configured to cover the
corners and a majority
portion of the backside of a tablet 12, but not obstruct the screen 16 of the
tablet. The corners are
preferably covered so that the tablet 12 cannot be removed from the front or
through any side of
the frame 14. The frame 14 may have a two or more part construction so that
the frame pieces
are installed around the tablet 12, securely maintaining the tablet within the
frame 14.
[0027] The frame 14 may have one or more openings 18 therethrough
corresponding
in position with one or more of control buttons and connectors of the tablet
12 such that the
tablet controls can be operated and connections made through the frame, such
as power
connections, headphone connections, etc. The frame 14, as well as other
components of the
tablet holder 10, may be constructed from lightweight aluminum, aircraft-grade
plastics, carbon
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fiber resins and like materials, chosen for their strength, durability and
lightweight.
[0028] The frame 14 includes at least one barrel defined in the frame
that opens
through one side of the frame. The barrel may be defined by the frame 14
itself, or may be a
tubular member secured within the frame. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the frame
includes two
barrels 20A and 20B, both opening through the bottom of the frame 14, to
provide a universal
frame offering the option of both left-handed and right-handed mounting. It is
envisioned that
the barrels 20A and 20B may open through a different common side of the frame
or through
different sides of the frame to provide a universal holder for accommodating a
variety of tablet
designs and mounting configurations.
[0029] As shown, the frame 14 includes a first barrel 20A positioned
adjacent the left
side of the tablet holder 10 when viewed from the backside, and a second
barrel 20B positioned
adjacent the right side of the tablet holder 10 when viewed from the backside.
The barrels 20A
and 20B are preferably positioned rearward of the tablet to limit the width of
the frame 14.
Unused or unoccupied barrels may be covered with a plug.
[0030] A mounting post 22 is pivotally and retractably received within
the barrel
20A. The mounting post 22 has a diameter sized slightly smaller than the
diameter of the barrel
20A such that the mounting post 22 is able to slide and rotate relative to the
barrel with minimal
play therebetween to provide stable tablet positioning. The mounting post 22
may have a length
about equal to the length of the barrel 20A. In an alternative embodiment, the
mounting post 22
may be adjustable to achieve a length longer than the length of the barrel,
such as using
telescoping members or the like. The mounting post may terminate in a
connector 40, such as a
connector for powering the tablet 12. The connector may engage a connector
inside the console
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as described below.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 5, the tablet holder 12 further includes a
locking mechanism
24 for locking the mounting post 22 against relative movement. The tablet
holder 12 may
include one locking mechanism 24 per post, or may include spaced locking
mechanisms 24 for
each post. The locking mechanism 24 as shown includes a locking lever 26
mounted on the
backside of the frame 14 for pivotal movement transverse to the longitudinal
axis of the
mounting post 22. The locking mechanism 24 may include a cam 28 on the lever
26 engageable
in a locking position of the lever 26 for applying locking force to the
mounting post 22 to lock
the mounting post against relative movement. Thus, the locking mechanism 24,
when locked,
prevents the mounting post 22 from pivoting and retracting relative to the
barrel and frame 14.
[0032] The pressure from the lever 26 is preferably great enough to
prevent relative
movement of the mounting post 22, but small enough to cause the lever 26 to
deform or
excessively wear the mounting post. The manual actuation of the locking lever
26 preferably
remains smooth with relatively low effort required. The lever 26, when in the
fully locked
position, may be positioned substantially slush with the backside of the frame
14.
[0033] Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the mounting post 22 is used to
mount the tablet
12 to a supporting structure, such as the passenger seat console shown
generally at reference
numeral 30. The seat console 30 defines one or more openings 32 sized to
receive the mounting
post 22. As shown, the openings 32 extend from the top surface of the seat
console 30 generally
downwards in the direction of the floor. The mounting post 22 is used to
adjustably position the
tablet 12 in a desirable viewing position. Referring specifically to FIG. 3,
the mounting post 22
is configured to pivot with respect to the seat console 30 along an axis
transverse to the
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longitudinal axis of the mounting post to tilt the tablet 12, and pivot with
respect to the seat
console 30 along an axis coaxial with the longitudinal axis idle mounting
post to rotate the
tablet 12. The frame 14 is also configured to pivot with respect to the
mounting post 22 and
move vertically with respect to the seat console 30.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a tablet stowage system is provided
herein
including a plurality of tablets 12 each installed within a tablet holder 10,
a container 34 for
stowing a plurality of tablet holders 10 including their tablets 12, and a
portable galley cart 36 for
stowing the container 34 and facilitating delivery/collection of the tablets
12.
[0035] The tablets 12 may be supplied by the airline carrier and used
during a flight.
The tablets 12 may be distributed after take-off and collected prior to
landing. The mounting
post 12 of each tablet is preferably retracted before stowing to facilitate
compact, organized
stowing as shown in FIG. 6. The galley cart 36 may stow one or more containers
34,
[0036] The foregoing description provides embodiments of the invention
by way of
example only. it is envisioned that other embodiments may perform similar
functions and/or
achieve similar results.
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